Tag Archives: Eastern Europe

This short documentary opens a window into the life and legacy of Yiddish poet Ida Maze, a poet and activist who cultivated a community of Yiddish writers in Montreal. The film interweaves an interview with her son, Irving Massey, a literary scholar who has written about and translated his mother’s poetry, with archival audio recordings from an event held in honor of Maze at the Jewish Public Library of Montreal in 1956. Together, Irving’s poignant memories of his mother and the warm words of praise from Ida Maze’s colleagues offer a compelling perspective on her life, poetry, and legacy.

Adrienne Cooper, z”l, the beloved Yiddish diva and mentor, remembers a meaningful project teaching Yiddish song in the former Soviet Union. Adrienne’s yortsayt is December 25th – may her memory be a blessing.

Troim Katz Handler, daughter of Yiddish poet Menke Katz, describes the unique household in which she was raised. She speaks of her distant relationship with her father, as well as the beloved grandparents who helped raise her.

I am still busy recording amazing stories from Yiddish writers and scholars here in Israel. Leading Israeli historian Israel Bartal remembers the presence of Eastern European culture and Yiddish language in his childhood in Tel Aviv, then Palestine.